Japanese Food and Cooking

So Delish: Sushi at Yasu's

Gross Out: Moldy Bowl at Masa Sushi in Gilbert

The Skinny: Battle of the Bulge at Tempe Marketplace

For Conveyor Belt Sushi Joints TeHaru Sushi and Sushi Eye in Motion, It All Revolves Around Spontaneity

Roka Akor Hosts Robata Grilling Class

You might think sushi and tempura when you think of Japanese food, but robata-yaki is also a huge part of the cuisine. It's all of those aromatic grilled foods that taste so good with a cold Sapporo. Roka Akor is one of the few local Japanese restaurants that actually specialize in it, and now ... More >>

Moira Sushi Bar: Downtown Phoenix Deserves a Better Japanese Restaurant

You might think sushi and tempura when you think of Japanese food, but robata-yaki is also a huge part of the cuisine. It's all of those aromatic grilled foods that taste so good with a cold Sapporo. Roka Akor is one of the few local Japanese restaurants that actually specialize in it, and now ... More >>

Noodle Time! Udon-Making Demo at Japanese Festival

Food is always a huge attraction at the annual Matsuri -- that is, the Phoenix Japanese Festival -- and this year's (which takes place this weekend) will be no different. Think yakisoba, teriyaki obento, makizushi, daifuku made with fresh mochi, anpan... jeez, I shouldn't blog right before ... More >>

New Downtown Sushi Spot: Moira Sushi

Is Phoenix the last major city to have a sushi restaurant in its downtown? Until now, the sushi boom has happened elsewhere in the Valley, especially in Scottsdale.  So tomorrow night is kind of historic, isn't it? That's when Moira Sushi (215 E. McKinley) opens its doors at ... More >>

Pure Sushi Bar Keeps It Fresh With Overstuffed Maki and Box Sushi

Is Phoenix the last major city to have a sushi restaurant in its downtown? Until now, the sushi boom has happened elsewhere in the Valley, especially in Scottsdale.  So tomorrow night is kind of historic, isn't it? That's when Moira Sushi (215 E. McKinley) opens its doors at ... More >>

Why Bacon Is Cheaper than Therapy

Is Phoenix the last major city to have a sushi restaurant in its downtown? Until now, the sushi boom has happened elsewhere in the Valley, especially in Scottsdale.  So tomorrow night is kind of historic, isn't it? That's when Moira Sushi (215 E. McKinley) opens its doors at ... More >>

Cafe: Moira Sushi

This week's cafe column poses a serious question; a sushi question. Is Moira Sushi Bar & Kitchen, the first downtown sushi bar in many years, worth the wait? Personally, we've been driving out to Sushi Ken or Te Haru to satisfy our delicious sushi and gimmicky sushi cravings respectively. The thou ... More >>

Late Night Deals: Kabuki

A general drinking guideline: Any drink with a name suffixed by the term 'bomb' is sure to get you bombed. Here's a deal you can take advantage of long after Happy Hour's come and gone. From 8 to close, Sunday through Thursday at Kabuki, you can knock yourself out with bombs of the sake variety. D ... More >>

Chef Talk: Shin Toyoda, Sushi Roku

Heather Hoch Sushi Chef Shin Toyoda tending his sushi bar at Sushi Roku.​Armed with a super sharp sushi knife and some of the freshest fish to be found in a desert, sushi chef Shin Toyoda takes Arizona tastebuds to Tokyo, one happy customer at a time.Toyoda got his first job in a restaurant ... More >>

Ra Sushi's New Dishes

Jonathan McNamaraRa appetizers.​Let's just get this out of the way: Ra Sushi is not Japanese cuisine. Not proper Japanese cuisine anyway. That being said, it can be delicious as I found out at a new menu tasting at Ra Sushi in North Scottsdale last night.

A Sneak Peek at Kabuki's New Arizona Sushi

Phoenix can be a much divided town. There are the Scottsdale types and the West Siders, the conservative natives and the influx of liberals, the sushi eaters and those who would rather chug a live goldfish than eat sashimi. We doubt that the bridge between Arpaio supporters and detractors will ... More >>

Watch Football Tonight, Get Sushi for a Buck

​At the start of the 2009 football season, Kabuki Japanese Restaurant in Glendale and Tempe introduced a Game Day promo where sushi slash football fans could take advantage of "buy one, get one for a dollar" sushi and drink specials while watching a Cardinals game on Kabuki's flatsc ... More >>

Yen Sushi and Sake Bar Rocks Their Rolls

​At the start of the 2009 football season, Kabuki Japanese Restaurant in Glendale and Tempe introduced a Game Day promo where sushi slash football fans could take advantage of "buy one, get one for a dollar" sushi and drink specials while watching a Cardinals game on Kabuki's flatsc ... More >>

Cafe: Yen Sushi

​We weren't always into sushi, but we loved Japanese fried chicken. During a year-long stint in the land of the rising sun, we would often drive our Daihatsu Mira (think of it as a mini Mini) to this tiny sushi shop to order karaage, which this particular shop served with a tiny saucer of cru ... More >>

Where Am I Eating?

​ While a friend was knee deep in a Japanese conversation lesson from the owner (he says "you're welcome" in Japanese sounds a lot like "don't touch my mustache") a chorus of edamame, yakitori, tonkatsu and gyoza demanded my undivided attention. The tiny place has been serving Japanese comfor ... More >>

Chef Talk: Takeshi Hosoda of Radio Cafe

photo by Claire Lawton​"Trust Me," says the sign above Chef Takeshi Hosoda's head in Radio Cafe as he busily chops ginger for tonight's sushi orders. You can trust the sign. Hosada was raised in a suburb of Tokyo and moved to Phoenix because he needed a change of scenery ... More >>

Radio Cafe: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Radio Cafe602-956-6600 ​www.radiocafeaz.com/ The Hours: Happy hour is 5 p.m. till 7 p.m. daily. They are open until midnight Sunday through Thursday and till 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays for late night eats. The Details: Half off all specialty cocktails, draft beer and wine by the gl ... More >>

Bento Boxes, Beer and Cheese, Plus Homemade Ketchup in Today's Eater's Digest

souvlakiforthesoul.com​Hungry for for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives? Bento Lunch This summer, check out Sushi Roku for lunch. The swank Scottsdale sushi spot has their Bento Box lunch on special. The Bento Box features teriyaki chicken, a spicy ... More >>

82: Okonomiyaki at Hana Japanese Eatery

​Hungry yet? We're working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella's 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley -- in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister ... More >>

Rockin' Ramen: Sushi Ken, Republic Ramen, and More Fill You Full of Noodles and Broth

​Hungry yet? We're working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella's 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley -- in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister ... More >>

Stingray Sushi: Happy Hour Report Card

Erica O'Neil Warm sake and cold Sapporo at Stingray Sushi's happy hour.​The Spot: Stingray Sushi, 2502 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, (602) 955-2008, http://www.stingraysushi.com The Hours: Between the hours of 3 and 7 pm, Monday through Friday. The Details: $5 sake bombers, $4 wine by the gla ... More >>

Nobuo at Teeter House Proves Izakaya Dreams Really Can Come True in Downtown Phoenix

Erica O'Neil Warm sake and cold Sapporo at Stingray Sushi's happy hour.​The Spot: Stingray Sushi, 2502 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, (602) 955-2008, http://www.stingraysushi.com The Hours: Between the hours of 3 and 7 pm, Monday through Friday. The Details: $5 sake bombers, $4 wine by the gla ... More >>

Teharu Sushi Just May Be the Fastest Food

Erica O'Neil Warm sake and cold Sapporo at Stingray Sushi's happy hour.​The Spot: Stingray Sushi, 2502 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, (602) 955-2008, http://www.stingraysushi.com The Hours: Between the hours of 3 and 7 pm, Monday through Friday. The Details: $5 sake bombers, $4 wine by the gla ... More >>

Chef Rick "Koji" Hashimoto of Hana Japanese Eatery, Sushi Bar

Chef Rick "Koji" Hashimoto rocks and rolls as he prepares sushi at Hana Japanese Eatery, dressed to the nines and showing off his skills. Today, we pick Koji's brain about his sushi technique, the brown bag lunches he couldn't escape, the best bone-removal method and if any deadly catches will be hi ... More >>

Chef Kazuto "Kaz" Kishino of Hana Japanese Eatery, Kitchen

Born, raised, educated and trained in Japan, Chef Kazuto "Kaz" Kishino, the man running the behind-the-scenes show in the kitchen of Hana Japanese Eatery, is about as old school as it gets in Japanese cooking. Kaz is a man of few words and little English, but Lori Hashimoto plays translator to unvei ... More >>

Hiro Sushi: Mouthwatering Sushi From a Neighborhood Mom and Pop

Born, raised, educated and trained in Japan, Chef Kazuto "Kaz" Kishino, the man running the behind-the-scenes show in the kitchen of Hana Japanese Eatery, is about as old school as it gets in Japanese cooking. Kaz is a man of few words and little English, but Lori Hashimoto plays translator to unvei ... More >>

Sushi Roku at The W Scottsdale: Lunch $10 & Under

Okay, so you can't really do lunch at Sushi Roku at The W Scottsdale for less than $10, but you can get a lot of bang for your buck with a $10 Express Bento Box, which is nearly a square-foot of Japanese food.

Cherryblossom Noodle Café: Lunch $10 & Under

When we heard about the lunch specials at Cherry Blossom Noodle Café, we had to check it out. Nearly 20 options for less than $10 each on weekdays? Yes please.

Meeting Rick Moonen, and Other Las Vegas Adventures

​Some friends have asked for a food report on my recent weekend jaunt to Las Vegas, so here you go, foodniks. First off, here's proof (um, not really) that I met chef Rick Moonen, who almost immediately asked me if I do my job anonymously, and later joked that he could make a killin ... More >>

Wildfish Seafood Grill Hires Sushi Chef

The raw bar at Wildfish Seafood Grille​Already a reliable spot for a good crabcake or a big platter of raw oysters to slurp, now Wildfish Seafood Grill is bringing sushi and sashimi into the mix with the hiring of sushi chef Stephan Martin.It's a natural evolution for the Waterfront restaurant, wh ... More >>

Coming Soon: Otaku Sushi in Chandler

​It looks like East Valley sushi geeks will be getting a little gift after the New Year -- Otaku Sushi, a restaurant that's currently under construction at 2430 S. Gilbert Rd. in Chandler. The restaurant's name translates to "geek" or "hardcore fan" in modern Japanese sla ... More >>

Chef Shinji Kurita Planning to Reopen Shinbay in Scottsdale

​Fans of Japanese cuisine will surely take heart at the comeback of a local luminary: Chef Shinji Kurita is working on reopening Shinbay, this time in Scottsdale. Since it closed five years ago, Kurita's original Ahwatukee location of Shinbay has become the stuff of legends for its exquisite ... More >>

Ikura Nigiri: Fish Eggs from Kanpai Sushi

Erica O'Neil A jewel-tone duo of fish eggs, ikura nigiri from Kanpai Sushi.​Despite what the supermarket aisle may lead you to believe, there's more to an animal than neatly wrapped styrofoam trays of meat. From tongue to tail, offal (pronounced awful) encompasses all those taboo edibles th ... More >>

Lunch $10 and Under at Teharu Sushi

Roe, roe, roe your boat...​Teharu isn't just a sushi bar -- it's an experience. There are few other places in the Valley where you can score five plates of food for under a ten-spot, but that's exactly what we did at Teharu. On our visit the place was packed, and the vibe was decidedly ... More >>

Salmon Skin Roll: Shimogamo Japanese Restaurant

Flickr- Island Vittles A mound of crispy, fried salmon skin that would put bacon to shame.​Despite what the supermarket aisle may lead you to believe, there's more to an animal than neatly wrapped styrofoam trays of meat. From tongue to tail, offal (pronounced awful) encompasses all those t ... More >>

Sushi 101: The Virgin Gets Burned by Sticky Rice

Uh-oh. That is not soy sauce.​Most American restaurant foods are easy to replicate at home: grilled cheese, burgers, the classic BLT. Japanese and hybrid-Asian foods are another matter. It might seem simple to toss together some rice, crab, seaweed and avocado to make a basic Californi ... More >>

Sushi 102: Roll a Fat One with The Virgin

​After last week's tragic experiment with burning cooking sushi rice, The Virgin was tempted to give up on the whole sushi making experience. But armed with a few helpful tips, I mastered the rice technique and moved on to the main event. If you're looking to feed picky eaters or ... More >>

Now Open: ShinBay

​Sushi lovers rejoice, Scottsdale has a brand new sushi joint open just in time for summer. Shinji Kurita, sushi chef and former owner of the now-closed Awhatukee sushi spot, ShinBay, quietly opened the doors of his latest project last Wednesday. Once again named ShinBay, the traditional-styl ... More >>

The Dragon Roll from Stingray Sushi

Erica O'Neil​Last year we marked the hundred day countdown to Best of Phoenix by sharing our 100 Favorite Dishes with you. Now we're back - with the 2011 edition. Have a suggestion for a dish you'd like us to try? Leave it in the comments section or email laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com 82: Th ... More >>

Roka Akor: Happy Hour Report Card

House infused Shochu with hand cut ice cubes are half priced during Happy Hour at Roka Akor.​The Spot: Roka Akor, 7299 N. Scottsdale, Rd., Scottsdale, 480-306-8800 www.rokaakor.com The Hours: 5-7pm, daily. The Details: Happy Hour pricing is available in the lounge and bar areas onl ... More >>

Now Open: Kokoro Sushi & Noodle Bar

​Hooray -- a quick and casual place to get sushi downtown! Kokoro Sushi & Noodle Bar opened last week in the Arizona Center, two doors down form the trendy Brick Pizza and just east of the movie theater.    The cozy space is casual with high top tables and a little sushi bar ... More >>

Sapporo Scottsdale: Happy Hour Report Card

Nicole Smith Sapporo's Cocunut Water Martini and Passion-Mango Martini induce a high that's worth their high price.​The Spot: Sapporo, 14344 N. Scottsdale Rd., North Scottsdale, 480-607-1114www.sapporoscottsdale.comThe Hours: 11 a.m. - close, Monday through Friday, and 3 p.m. - close, Satur ... More >>

Lunch for $10 at Republic Ramen and Noodle Bar

Lauren Saria​Ramen (when it doesn't come in noodle-brick form out of a package from the grocery store) is a Japanese dish made of wheat noodles served in a flavored broth. The dish has been a part of both Chinese and Japanese cultures for decades and thanks to Nissin Foods, in the early 60s it mad ... More >>

Lunch for $10 at Nobuo at Teeter House

Courtesy of Justin Eats​A common misconception seems to be that delcious -- as in, James Beard-award winning delicious -- food will never  be reasonably priced. Not true, and we've got proof! For this week's $10 lunch, we enjoyed the charming digs of the Teeter House at Heritage S ... More >>

Nobuo Chef Fukuda Joins Chef Jason Alford for Omakase Experience at Roka Akor

​Fans of omakase, the expression used at sushi restaurants to leave the menu to the chef, have an opportunity to treat themselves to an early holiday gift thanks to a unique event at Roka Akor in Scottsdale. On Monday, December 12, Roka Akor will bring together chef Nobuo Fukuda, James Beard ... More >>

Pearl Sushi Lounge: Chic Ambiance and (Mostly) Flashy Food in Scottsdale

​Fans of omakase, the expression used at sushi restaurants to leave the menu to the chef, have an opportunity to treat themselves to an early holiday gift thanks to a unique event at Roka Akor in Scottsdale. On Monday, December 12, Roka Akor will bring together chef Nobuo Fukuda, James Beard ... More >>